So Cal Harbor Hopping
Wouldn’t it be good to do something a little different, easier, and fun this summer? Try some Harbor Hopping under sail.
Long Beach to Newport Harbor & Back
Two Harbors, Avalon, & Back to Long Beach
LB to Redondo, Marina Del Rey, & Back
During the last many years of running sailing adventure trips in the Northern Channel Islands and destinations in other countries, with all the planning and preparation those trips take, it occurred to me that it would be fun and easy to just go Harbor Hopping right here in our own local paradise.
Harbors on the coast from Marina Del Rey down to San Diego are within easy reach, and Catalina is a half-day sail from Long Beach. It would be easy if we just packed breakfast, lunch and snacks, cold drinks, tied up in a new harbor at the end of the day and went to visit a nice restaurant ashore. Take off the next morning and do it again!
Many new sailors find the prospect of sailing to Catalina intimidating, and plenty of day sailors haven’t visited other local harbors. This is the way to scratch that sailing adventure itch the easy way.
Try Harbor Hopping With Us – Trip Schedule
August 2-3, we are sailing from Long Beach to Newport Beach and back – an easy hop.
August 8-10, we sail from Long Beach to Catalina, calling first at Two Harbors, then Avalon for the second night, navigating home the third day.
August 22-24, we depart Long Beach for Redondo’s King Harbor on day one, make the easy sail to Marina Del Rey for the second night, and spend our third day with the spinnaker up sailing back downwind to Long Beach.
See the Santana Sailing website and follow the Go Harbor Hopping link for all the details if you would like to join.
Try Some Harbor Hopping On Your Own – Details Below
If you plan to go harbor hopping on your own boat or a chartered boat, here are a few details to keep in mind.
- DOCKWA is an online service that will list available marinas and allow booking a guest slip online, though not every marina is listed on DOCKWA.
- A Google or ChatGPT search for Guest Slips or Transient Slips will turn up many results.
- Guest slips and guest moorings vary in price from $1.25 to $2.25 per foot per night.
- You will need to present your ID, vessel registration, insurance, and may need a copy of your charter contract.
- Calling the Harbor Patrol office in each harbor before your trip will help you understand the latest anchoring regulations and restrictions.
- If you are a yacht club member, check to see what reciprocal relationships your club may have to facilitate guest slips in other harbors.
Here are some specifics for each harbor, starting with Marina Del Rey and working our way south.
Marina Del Rey
Guest Slips:
- Marina Del Rey Marina (a Suntex Marina), reserve online
- Burton Chase Park Transient Boat Dock (LA County), no advance reservations.
Anchorage: None
Redondo Beach King Harbor
Guest Slips/Moorings listed by DOCKWA:
- California Yacht Marinas – Port Royal Marina (Dock), reserve online
- Redondo Beach Marina (Mooring), reserve online
Anchorage:
Harbor Patrol states anchorage is available at the end of the channel near the King Harbor Yacht Club and recommends setting bow and stern anchors.
LA Harbor/San Pedro
Guest Slips listed by DOCKWA:
- California Yacht Marinas – Cabrillo Marina (Dock), reserve online
Anchorage:
Cabrillo Beach anchorage noted as “General Anch N,” on NOAA chart 18751
Long Beach Harbor
Guest Slips:
- Alamitos Bay Marina (Dock) Call to reserve: (562) 570‑3215, Marine Bureau office
- Shoreline Marina (Dock) Contact: (562) 570‑4950
- By DOCKWA: Long Beach Yacht Club (Dock), reserve online
Anchorage:
Permitted on the N side of Island White only. Day use Monday – Thursday 10-3PM. Overnight anchoraging is permitted only Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Newport Beach
Guest Slips:
- Newport Harbor Patrol Guest Slips/Moorings (Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol) Location: 1901 Bayside Drive. By boat, tie up at the Harbor Patrol Dock near the yellow Rescue boats and CG Cutter Narwhal, check in personally at the Harbor Patrol office.
- Marina Park Guest Slips (City of Newport Beach Harbor Department). Located on the Balboa Peninsula, at Marina Park, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd. Reservations & contact: Call 949‑270‑8159 or VHF Ch.
Anchorage:
Lido Island Anchorage off the E end of Lido Isle. Refer to NOAA chart 18754. Anchor inside of the 4 buoys labeled A, B, C, D. 14 day limit, a person must remain aboard.
Dana Point Harbor
Guest Slips listed by DOCKWA:
- The Marina at Dana Point (Dock), reserve online.
Anchorage:
Two designated anchorage areas inside Dana Point Harbor, marked by yellow buoys and signage. Guests may anchor for up to 5 days within any 30‑day period
- West Basin Anchorage – located near the Ocean Institute at the west end. Mud bottom with good holding; defined by yellow buoys
- East Basin Anchorage – situated near the bait barge and fuel dock on the east side
Oceanside Harbor
Guest Slips:
- 24 transient slips plus side‑ties for larger boats. Slips can be reserved up to 60 days in advance, or on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Reservation office hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 am–4:30 Reserve by phone at (760) 435‑4000, or in person at 1540 Harbor Drive North.
- Check-in: Dock at guest slips #5, #6, or #7 and then complete registration at the harbor office.
Anchorage: None.
San Diego Harbor
Guest Slips listed by DOCKWA:
- Harbor Island West Marina (Dock), reserve online
- Sun Harbor Marina (Dock), reserve online
- Halfmoon Marina (Dock) Shelter Island, contact online
Shelter Island Guest Dock (San Diego Harbor Police)
- Location: 1401 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island (at the entrance to Shelter Island Yacht Basin)
- 26 slips accommodating vessels up to 65 ft LOA
- Maximum stay: 15 days within any 40-day period
- Reservation: Up to 14 days in advance via Port of San Diego’s online system
Anchorage:
- A‑1 “La Playa Cove” – 72‑hour weekend-only anchorage (Fri 9 AM–Mon 9 AM), max 40 boats
- A‑5 “Glorietta Bay” – 72‑hour daily anchorage, up to 20 boats
